June 29, 2011 | Tips from Travellers >
Queen Charlotte City, Attractions
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Imagine going on a diving adventure in the Southern waters of Haida Gwaii...wondering what might be lurking on the ocean floor. Well now you can stop wondering and come see some for yourself!
The Queen Charlotte Visitor Centre has just recently installed and filled our touch tank aquarium! With an inner aquarium for viewing only and a touch area with starfish surrounding, it's a great addition to our centre! It's filled with critters brought to us from waters near the Haida heritage site Skedans and the Haida Heritage Centre! We've got vermillion stars, bat stars, hermit crabs, a giant sea cucumber, sailfin sculpins, a grunt sculpin, opalescent nudibranchs, a yellow rimmed nudibranch, and more! The bully of the tank, Albert the Kelp Crab, is quite a funny fellow, always on guard! The opalescent nudibranchs have even layed some eggs, we'll see how the babies make out!
Our job description now involves cleaning the protein skimmer, hunting for mussels on the beach to feed the critters, and more...but we're not complaining! I love the tank, and so do all of the children and parents that come through as well. The tank is educational; not everyone has seen sea cucumber, and not everyone has seen a starfish eating a mussel. It's a new adventure for myself, having never seen a majority of the critters before in my lifetime on Haida Gwaii.
For anyone who has never gone diving before, it's a excellent way to find out what really is out in the ocean!
June 14, 2011 | Tips from Travellers >
Haida Gwaii/Queen Charlotte Islands, Hiking
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The Yakoun River, the largest river on Haida Gwaii, is well known for it's abundance of salmon and trout, as well as the giant Sitka's that forest the area around it.
Hiking into Yakoun Lake, about forty minutes outside of Queen Charlotte City by Forest Service Road, is very popular. However, hiking along the river uncovers more difficult trails. As with any hike, it's always best to go in a group and watch out for black bears!
Last month a group of us ventured along the river. It was wet and the hike was challenging. It did rain for a bit, but we were prepared with rain jackets and were sheltered by the trees. We saw remnants of logging practices, and of course, large Sitka's all along the waters edge.
During the summer months, we expect it to be a much dryer hike, but there are no promises! It's best to always bring your rain gear, just in case!
June 04, 2011 | Tips from Travellers >
Queen Charlotte City, Hiking
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What is Haida Gwaii known for? It's beautiful scenery! And where do you find such spectacular areas, worthy of filling up your memory card in your camera? Hiking!
My friend and I decided to go on a short hike together. We wanted one close to the city of Queen Charlotte, so I suggested we try the Gore Brook Trail. Located in the forests just outside of the town, we spent our morning trekking through a fairly easy hike, past mossy trees and through small creeks. Since the last time I had hiked the Gore Brook Trail, I found it to be well maintained and was impressed at how such a beautiful hike was so close!
I found some curled up black and yellow millipedes on the trail, always littered in the forest. They remind me so much of the hikes I went on as a child, and how they never got old no matter how many times I trekked through!
I will definitely be hiking more this summer, seeing how amazing our weather forecast is looking so far! For any information on hikes on Haida Gwaii, call us at the visitor centre (250-559-8316)! From hikes through beautiful old growth forests to beach walks, we have hikes for all!
June 02, 2011 | Tips from Travellers >
Queen Charlotte City, Beaches & Swimming
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Sunshine on Haida Gwaii! Finally the forecast stuck true to the sunshine, and for about 3 days straight Islander's enjoyed bright sunny days at the beach! Many daring and brave teenagers decided to test the May waters as well, coming out shivering, but happy nonetheless!
I spent my day off venturing around Queen Charlotte City, in search of a good meal and some shopping. "Downtown" is located on Wharf Street, littered with small cafes, restaurants, some small shops, as well as the Visitor Centre!
I enjoyed lunch on the patio at one of the small cafes and explored some of the small stores, picking out a few things for myself. When I finished with my shopping, I walked to the community park, only about 5 minutes from downtown. Here is where I access the beach, and walk along the shore all the way home! But before I made it home, I found a comfy, warm spot on the beach, and opened up my book. So relaxing!
From the stores to the shores, I always recommend a little bit of R&R, and on Haida Gwaii, it's never hard to find.